License Information
General Hunting Information
- A Basic Hunting License is required of all persons to hunt, take, possess or cause to be transported by any other person any wild bird or quadruped. See License Fees for exceptions.
Pursuant to Act 169 of the 1988 regular session of the Legislature, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has adopted monetary values which are assigned to all illegally taken, possessed, injured or destroyed fish, wild birds, wild quadrupeds and other wildlife and aquatic life. Anyone taking, possessing, injuring or destroying fish, wild birds, wild quadrupeds and other wildlife and aquatic life shall be required to reimburse LDWF a sum of money equal to the value of the wildlife illegally taken, possessed, injured or destroyed. This monetary reimbursement shall be in addition to any and all criminal penalties imposed for the illegal act.
Hunter Education Requirements
No person born on or after Sept. 1, 1969, shall hunt unless that person has been issued a certificate of satisfactorily completion of a Hunter Education course approved by LDWF.
- EXCEPT a person may hunt without hunter education certification if 1.) they are accompanied by and under direct supervision of a person who was born before Sept. 1, 1969 and has a valid hunting license, or 2.) they are accompanied by and under the direct supervision of a person who is 18 years of age or older and has proof of completion of a hunter education course approved by LDWF. Direct supervision means that the person being supervised is within a normal audible voice contact and in direct line of sight of the supervising person at all times while hunting.
- EXCEPT this requirement shall not apply to any active or veteran member of the United States Armed Services or any POST-certified law enforcement officer who has been issued a hunter education exemption. Application and instructions to apply for this exemption can be found at www.wlf.la.gov/page/hunter-and-trapper-education.
For information on scheduling a hunter education course, or to get the phone number for your local hunter education office, please visit our website at www.wlf.la.gov/page/hunter-and-trapper-education
A Hunter’s Pledge
Responsible hunting provides unique challenges and rewards. However, the future of the sport depends on each hunter’s behavior and ethics. Therefore, as a hunter, I pledge to:
- Respect the environment and wildlife.
- Respect property and landowners.
- Show consideration for non-hunters.
- Hunt safely.
- Know and obey the law.
- Support wildlife and habitat conservation.
- Pass on an ethical hunting tradition.
- Strive to improve my outdoor skills and understanding of wildlife.
- Hunt only with ethical hunters.
By following these principles of conduct each time I go afield, I will give my best to the sport, the public, the environment and myself. The responsibility to hunt ethically is mine; the future of hunting depends on me.
Landowner Assistance Program
Landowner assistance programs are available to help landowners and managers develop and enhance wildlife habitat on their property. Contact the nearest Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries field office to receive assistance.
